7 Smiles

Pope Francis has taken over my internet! When you attended a Catholic college, have friends working at Catholic schools and universities, an follow Catholic bloggers... I guess you should just be prepared for everyone to head to Philadelphia and see the Pope.  Since I am not speaking at the World Meeting of Families, attending Mass in Madison Square Garden or anything else equally motivating - I thought that for my seven quick takes I would share some fun (mostly non-Pope related) links from throughout the interwebs to make you smile. So here you are... 7 quick smiles :)

Because, Buddy the Elf was right - "smiling is my favorite."

(1) This post I found via New Wave Feminists

How cute is that baby?!

 (2) These awesome Halloween costumes - and the Dad who created an entire company dedicated to building even more of them!

(3) Pope Francis stopping his car, to greet a child with cerebral palsy in Philadelphia (c'mon I said mostly not about the Pope).

 

(4) The excitement of these children who got to greet Pope Francis upon his arrival to Harlem! 

 I love their attitude and the facts they share about him - his love of soccer, stamp collecting etc.  (Having trouble posting the video, but watch it!!)

(5) The dedication of a local school in memory of a recent military hero.
So often we see schools named for heroes from generations past, this school was named for a recent hero.  A man who died less than 6 years ago after sustaining injuries in Afghanistan, and whose parents and family members were able to attend the dedication.

(6) Dogs on a train!

(7) PYO 
 Number 7 is pick your own smiles :)  This is for the little thing that made you smile throughout the week... I am probably missing some but there were many more things from the internet world that made me smile this week - the newly announced flexi styles from Lilla Rose, the viral video of a little girl demanding her newly-divorced parents stay friends, lots of great pictures from friends attending weddings, and last (but totally not least) this awesome apple butter recipe I plan to try next week!



7 Quick Takes - Videos, Lenten Quinoa, and Other Favorites

Once again, life has been happening and blogging hasn't. C'est la vie.  I haven't been too busy to blog or any such, just haven't been writing (here or elsewhere).  But spring is a new season, and why not use this as a time to start up again? 

 

 

(1) This video.

 

I love this video.  Seriously. I. LOVE. this video.  I don't even have any strong personal connection to anyoen with Downs Syndrome (besides kids i worked with at camp, or individuals i work with now in my part time job). But I still love this video.  Must be a prolife thing :)

 

 

 

(2) Also This Video

My boyfriends brother is competing on The Voice, and of course he would love more views for his blind audition!  Social media is HUGE on this show, and the bigger following he gets the better.  Please check out his video, and share it with other music fans.

 

(3) Me.

Yes, one of my links is a shameless cross-sell to my other blog.  Starting April 1st, please visit L.B. Writes every Tuesday for my "Ten For Tuesdays" series where I will be sharing social media and marketing tips.  Learn about my passion for using social media for social good.

 

(4) thredUP

Anyone who knows me knows that I like bargain hunting and love thrifting! (I mean c'mon I managed a thrift store for a year!) Recently I have also come to love thredUP!   I had heard about it all throughout the web, but when Caroline over at the Modest Mom Blog posted a $15 first time shoppers credit I knew it was finally time to buy something!  For just a few dollars of shipping and handling I got a scarf, an Old Navy t-shirt, and a pair of red pants that retailed for over $80! And everything but the scarf still had original tags!  Score!

 

If you haven't shopped on thredUP yet you are missing out! Head over to their site today for great deals on both kid and adult clothes, and a $10 shopping credit on me.

 

(5) Vegangela Quinoa

So my dad is changing up his diet, and after reading WheatBelly that means limiting the carbs and losing the wheat.  Which of course means, I'm looking for new recipes to cook!  My google browsing brought me to, Vegangela a (you guessed it) vegan website, where I found this delicious and incredibly easy quinoa recipe! I have made it twice and enjoyed it both times.  Since we're not vegan, I put a dollop of sour cream and some cheese on top of the servings making it extra delicious.  Also worth noting - if you're like me and have a limited spice cabinet (read: garlic, Adobo, and some Mrs. Dash) improvising won't hurt this recipe! In fact the second time I made it I just used southwest seasoned diced tomatoes, added garlic powder and called it even. Still delicious.

 

(6) The Full Time Girl

I discovered this blog within the last couple of months, and I just love it.  We do have some differences theologically, but this girl is full of faith and just packs so much Truth into her posts! 

 

So far I think this great post on modesty, "5 Things Modesty Never Taught Me" is my favorite.  Like I said - so.much.Truth.

 

(7) St. Patrick's Day

Yes, I know it was on Monday but I'm from Western MA. We are all about parade weekend here, and for us that means this weekend!  I'm not Irish.  I'm not a big drinker.  And yet I look forward to this every year.  7,000 runners.  500,000 parade spectators.  Bands. Colleen floats.  Shamrocks in the street.  I love it.